My husband’s out of work after 25 years of good, gainful employment in the homebuilding industry.

For months, he’s been throwing his resume out there and “working his network,” so far to no avail. Companies he’s worked with for years are scaling way back, or closing their doors. His prospects are grim…our money is running out.

But, not to worry! The economy’s in the crapper, as well, and predictions of recovery have us months out, as if anyone knows what’s going to happen anyway….

After years of being firmly entrenched in the middle-class, our little world is melting away around us and I’m more than a little scared about how it will all turn out…This kind of situation — and thinking — can really suck you in, and bring you down….

That is why I am grateful one of my jobs is being an emergency room social worker a couple of days each week. If you ever want a reality check, just spend some time in a busy ER. That’ll put your personal problems into perspective.

One of my duties is to gather the family when a patient is dying and to be with them as the process unfolds. Serious, daunting, humbling work, this. No matter how many times I am with a family through this, it amazes me how sad, and real, and life-altering each death is for every family.
The other day, a very elderly man came in, having collapsed, after a few days of a “real bad headache.” His family found him down when they returned from taking his wife to a doctor’s appointment.

“He was alright when we left,” his son said. “He had a headache, but he’d had that for a few days.”

“When I found him, I shook him and asked if he was alright,” the son said. “’I recken,’ daddy said…Turns out those were his last words.”

The man was very old and pretty sick and had a lot of medical problems. Yet, his death — as all deaths — came as a terrible shock to his family.
They gathered, cried and prayed and laughed and remembered him at his best, strongest, and most stubborn.

They stood gathered around his bedside, talking to him, stroking his forehead, patting his chest, watching him slowly fade away…
The hardest part of being with a family through this is watching the wife-now-widow sit next to the bedside, holding her husband’s hand, wondering, how, after all these years, to let that hand go and tell him, “Good bye?”

These elderly widows are proud and strong. They hold their heads high and dab the tears from the corners of their eyes with dignity and poise. They sit, not seeming to hear what their children are saying around them, studying the face of the man they’ve shared some 50-60-70 years with.

They know he’s gone, but, they don’t believe it. They realize life from here on out will be very different…

Many of these families don’t look like they have much. Their clothes and their faces tell stories of hard work and long hours for a lot of years.

Many of them don’t believe much in doctors, or medicines, or anything except a good hard day’s work with some time spent with the family at the end of it. Their families seem close. Their faith seems strong. Somehow, you get the sense that faith and the closeness of their family will see them through.
I admire their faith and closeness even as I cling to my own. I try, once again, to turn my worried, rattled thoughts to, as the Bible says, “…things (that) are true… honest… just… pure… lovely… (and) of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

It beats listening to those bleak economic forecasts, anyway.

Lorin Sinn-Clark is a columnist for the Barrow Journal. She can be reached at lorin@barrowjournal.com.

So heartfelt, sharing of your experience in the ER brought tears to my eyes. Just a year ago my mother was one of those widows you described from a 52 year marriage. She(and I)still can't believe he's gone.

It's obvious you do good work in the ER with such compassion to help not only comfort but direct, assist and organize for those who need guidance at such a critical time their lives.

Bless you for all you do, and for sharing it in such beautiful words.
Best of luck in all your endeavors and keep on sharing your good perspective and thoughts, we need them.

Lorin Sinn-Clark's column speaks truthfully about what the economic crisis unfolding in our world today. As she illustrates in piece, no one's job or life is safe. I was moved by her story and, as hard as her job in the ER must be, I am glad that she or one of her co-workers will be there for my family when we find ourselves in that place. This is a time of struggle for many. Lorin illustrates this in a haunting, memorable way with her well-written words. I look forward to reading more.

Donny Bailey Seagraves
GONE FROM THESE WOODS
Coming August 2009 from Delacorte Press

Thank you so much for the feedback, and for reading the Barrow Journal.
With you, we will grow and prosper and give Barrow County (and other interested readers) the news and columns and opinions you all deserve!
Again, thank you so much and keep reading, clicking on www.BarrowJournal.com!
Sincerely,
Lorin Sinn-Clark

Well, I hate to say it, but it sounds like she's more humble than she used to be. I heard her say once that we shouldn't build "starter homes" in Barrow Co., that people should have to "save up" until they could afford a middle-class family sized home. I never appreciated that comment, as I built (my father and my fiance) a "starter home" because I have no use for a large home as I can't have children, and saw no need for a large home.
Best of luck to her, and everyone else during these tough times- we all need it.

The comments anon refers to were probably made during my political campaign, back in 2000. (I ran for Barrow Commission Chairman, and got 40% of the vote.)The context was concern about the county's tax base - not disdain for folks who prefer small homes. It's nice to be remembered, thanks for the comment, keep reading the Barrow Journal, and yes! I am a lot humbler now!

It was actually before that, I'd say around 1997 in Piedmont Building Supply. My only problem with the comment was that you said people "should have to save up until they could afford a larger home." But, it's ok, I have alot of opinions other people don't appreciate either. For example, I think people should have to have a license to have children.

Lorin is such a beautiful person and I can't think of anyone better for such work. She has a heart as big as Winder and lots of love to share. I will always keep you in my thoughts and prayers Lorin...... and continue to send you lots of hugs and smiles. Thank you for being you.

I concluded years ago that Lorin is the best columnist in Georgia, and I do not say that lightly. I was delighted the Barrow Journal brought her voice back to us. Lorin is a person who NEEDS to write, and we need to read a columnist who is that intelligent and sincere.

Myles, I completely agree with you - Lorin is the best columnist in Barrow County because of her intelligent and open minded.

Indra

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